University of Manchester students occupy building in rent protest

Students at the University of Manchester have 'occupied' a university building in a protest against "extremely high" rents.

The students have also said they are protesting a lack of support given to students isolating in halls of residence and have said the university's decision to bring back students were "purely motivated by profit".

The students, who have called themselves the 'Tower Occupiers', want to see a 40% reduction in rent; an offer of no-penalty early release clause from their tenancy contracts; a commitment to no staff redundancies and no punishment for rent strikers.

Last week, Manchester students tore down fences erected outside their campus in Fallowfield at the beginning of a second national lockdown.

Students in England will be allocated staggered departure dates during a "travel window" between December 3-9 so they can return home after the four-week lockdown.